Tesla Stock Declines in Early Trading

Tesla stock experienced a decline in early Friday trading, but contrary to popular belief, it was not due to vehicle recalls. While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite saw slight gains of 0.2% and 0.6% respectively, Tesla stock dropped by 1.9%.

The Real Reason Behind the Weakness

Although it may be tempting to attribute the decline to recalls, such an assumption would be incorrect. It is true that the numbers associated with the recalls may be alarming. Tesla recently recalled approximately 2.2 million vehicles in the U.S., which essentially accounts for all the Tesla vehicles on American roads. The reason for the recall, as stated on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, is that "warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read."

This issue is certainly significant, but it is important to note that the recall did not stem from any customer complaints or accidents. Instead, on January 8th, the NHTSA informed Tesla that their font size failed to meet compliance standards during a routine audit focused on maintaining vehicle safety measures.

As discussed by numerous sources, car recalls are a common occurrence in the industry, with tens of millions of cars being recalled each year. However, due to Tesla's status as the world's most valuable automaker, led by one of the richest individuals globally, their recalls tend to garner more attention.

(It is worth mentioning that Elon Musk's claim to the title of richest individual recently faced uncertainty after a Delaware judge invalidated his 2018 pay package, resulting in a loss of approximately $50 billion of wealth. The Tesla board will likely need to address this situation by implementing a new pay package.)

Tesla faces legal dispute over hazardous waste

Tesla, the company with the largest fleet of connected vehicles in the U.S., is no stranger to recalls. While it typically addresses minor issues through over-the-air software updates, its recent troubles extend beyond vehicle glitches. Tesla has agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty to settle a hazardous waste mishandling dispute.

The settlement follows a lawsuit filed by 25 California counties, and while the penalty may be relatively small, the repercussions of mishandling hazardous waste should not be taken lightly.

Amidst these legal challenges, Tesla is also grappling with other setbacks in 2024. Its electric vehicle sales in China have been sluggish, production at its German plant has been hindered by conflict in the Middle East, and the company has resorted to reducing vehicle prices to stimulate demand.

Consequently, analysts have revised their estimates for Tesla's 2024 earnings. Wall Street now forecasts earnings per share to be $3.12, down from the initial projection of $3.81 at the beginning of the year.

This downward trend in earnings is a more plausible explanation for Tesla's underperformance in the stock market compared to the recalls. Year to date, Tesla stock has experienced a decline of approximately 25.8%.

It remains crucial for Tesla to prioritize its financial performance and address these challenges successfully.